The Ghana Medical Association has said that it is pleased with the President’s announcement of some restrictions to curb the spread of the COVID-19 disease.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his 23rd address to the nation on measures against COVID-19 announced the re-imposition of certain restrictions such as the ban on weddings, funerals, concerts and other social gatherings.
“Weddings, funerals, parties, theatrical performances are banned until further notice. However, private burials with a maximum of 25 people are permitted”, the President said.
Reacting to this announcement by the President, Dr.Frank Ankobea, President of GMA, told Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show: “We thank the President for his speech. He actually listened to us and saw certain things that we proposed and believed could curb the spread of the disease”.
Dr. Frank Ankobea expressed that while all their wishes were not granted they were generally grateful that the President increased the restrictions.
Meanwhile, he has noted that the most important factor that can make the restrictions work is the need for enforcements. “The most important thing is enforcement. The restrictions can be announced but if it is not enforced, it comes to zero. So now what we want to see is that those restrictions are being enforced. Enforcement must be number one”.
A week ago, the Ghana Medical Association, in a press statement, called on the Government to restrict the attendance to social gatherings following the recent trend of increasing new cases of COVID-19 in the country.
“Government should as a matter of urgency restrict social activities such as parties, church services, funerals, clubs and other social gathering of such nature The markets should be regulated and as much as possible restricted”, part of the statement read.
President Nana Addo in his 23rd address to the nation, disclosed that Ghana’s average daily rate of infection now stands at 700 from the previously recorded 200 daily cases two weeks ago.
Ghana’s active COVID-19 cases stand at 5,358 with 416 deaths.
By: Alberta Dorcas N D Armah